Getting Dressed for a ball circa 1866 

When I was young, my favorite books were the Little House series by Laura Ingalls Wilder. There was so much wonderful description in it of various tasks that we don’t do anymore. Revisiting them today, my favorite thing is the repeated detailed depiction of dressmaking and sewing in the last two books. One great scene is when Laura and Ma are sewing her sister Mary’s new best dress for blind school. The conundrum is that they have heard rumors that hoop skirts might be coming back into fashion (it’s around 1882), but aren’t sure. So, they cheat the skirt’s size to give it enough fullness to accommodate hoops if necessary, but also to not be too voluminous if they didn’t come back.

All the fabric was so noisy. I was trying to imagine what a room full of women dressed like that would sound like.

I was just an extra in a movie set in the 1860s. Fortunately for me, dressers helped me get into the back-lacing corset, the crinoline, the over-petticoat and the different skirts, and bodices used in various scenes. Walking in those enormous skirts was a challenge - so was trying to sit in 21st century chairs while in Holding waiting to go on set. I told my fellow backgrounders about your channel (and your very helpful advice about how to negotiate the loo...)

I see why we think of the Victorians as having un-naturally small waists: the skirt structure and bodice work together to create the illusion. This work truly is a masterpiece and I understand (a little) why they would wear such complex designs.

My university (Vassar College) was started in the 1860s and a fun fact about the first building was that all the corridors were made extra wide to accommodate the women in this size hoop skirt! They would be able to walk past with enough space :)

The Little House on the Prairie series talk quite a bit about corsets. There was a philosophy about them. And even young girls wore them. The book stated that it was all about posture. And Laura complained that she would get her hair caught in all the eyelets. When I was a young girl, my mother brought me a half skirt that she called a crinoline. It was made out of highly starched or highly sized organdy. It was as crispy as a piece of paper and it never lost that crispness. I remember trying to wear it under pleated skirt, and the results were quite comical.

"A modesty petticoat...in case you topple over." From experience (haha), I can say that this is really good advice.

The actual beauty of this dress came as you walked along and down the stairs.The different colours in the material shimmered as you walked.This must have been heavy to walk in ..I love this for the Cinderella in me lol, 🥰

The dress might feel awkward due to its size but it wouldn’t look awkward at all without you mentioning it. In fact it looks very graceful and perfectly elegant, not too big.

Heck with the historical costume, would be a real show stopper at a ball these days 😍 and a better one than the show all and leave nothing to the imagination so prevalent now. 😏

Potresti provare in un tuo futuro video ad indossare un abito del 1860 ma senza la crinolina? Sarei molto curioso io di vedere l’effetto 😍

😂😂😂 Man kann es wirklich übertreiben vor allem für das 18jh

Oh, as you struggled, I just wanted to jump in and help you!

I couldn’t wear all of those clothes. I’d be swearing like a pig, especially while dancing!!

Beautiful. Would work well at DeMenil Mansion in St Louis , Mo. The home was complected In 1864. As a docent we wore hoop skirts. They were not as big as yours however. You look stunning.

such a lovely Lady ❤

I cant even imagine how many times I would have fallen down stairs wearing these skirts, but you swept down them beautifully!❤

You did a beautiful job making that dress. And I love your personality 😊😊😊😊😊

Well then. I am exhausted just imagining the workout from getting dressed. ❤

The room is beautiful, romantic and chic decorated! And a very impressive dress; lovely colour, well done! 🎀👛💖